New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): A solemn ceremony was held in Dharamshala on Tuesday to mark the 60th death anniversary of Captain Chander Narain Singh, Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous), a valiant officer of the 2nd Battalion, The Garhwal Rifles, who made the supreme sacrifice during the India-Pakistan War of 1965. In a heartfelt tribute, his family presented his gallantry and service medals to the Garhwal Rifles Regiment, preserving his enduring legacy.
Sukhdev Singh, the brother of the late officer, handed over the Maha Vir Chakra and other service medals in a moving gesture of remembrance and pride. Lieutenant General DS Rana, Colonel of The Garhwal Rifles and Garhwal Scouts and Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), received the medals on behalf of the Regiment. The event was attended by serving personnel, veterans, and military dignitaries.
In his address, Lt Gen DS Rana paid rich tributes to Captain Singh, describing him as a shining symbol of bravery, leadership, and patriotism. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the family for entrusting the Regiment with the medals, assuring that the officer’s legacy would continue to inspire future generations of Indian soldiers.
Captain Chander Narain Singh was born on July 7, 1939, in Shikarpur, Garhwal (Uttar Pradesh). On August 5, 1965, while attached to Headquarters 120 Infantry Brigade, he was tasked with verifying reports of over 100 enemy infiltrators in the Brigade’s area of responsibility. Leading a patrol into high-altitude terrain at approximately 4,000 feet, his team came under intense enemy fire and grenade attacks.
Displaying exceptional courage and presence of mind, Captain Singh launched a night assault with his small team, neutralising six enemy soldiers and injuring several others, forcing a retreat. Despite sustaining a head injury during a counterattack, he refused evacuation and continued to lead, ultimately sacrificing his life in the line of duty. For his bravery and unwavering dedication, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award.
The medals will be preserved and displayed at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre Museum in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand, serving as a lasting tribute to Captain Singh’s heroism and the selfless service of the Indian Army’s personnel. Such noble gestures by the families of fallen heroes ensure that the legacy of supreme sacrifice remains alive in the nation’s collective memory.
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